Lifter roof



Feb. 13, 1951 c, QRR ET AL 2,541,090

LIFTER ROOF Filed Oct. 29, 1945 Patented Feb. 13, 1951 LIFTER ROOFClifford M. Orr and Fred L. Goldsby, Chicago, Ill., assignors to ChicagoBridge & Iron Company,

a corporation of Illinois Application October 29, 1945, Serial No.625,399

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a lifter roof, and more particularly to astorage vessel having an annular receptacle of small width at the top ofthe side walls and adapted to be filled by a liquid within th storagevessel whenever the vessel is filled.

Liquid sealed lifter roofs have heretofore been suggested, but theproblem has never been heretofore well solved as to the type of liquidto be used within the seal.

In the present invention the same liquid is employed for a seal as theliquid that is stored within the tank, provision being made for fillingthe sealed receptacle whenever the tank itself is filled.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a storage vessel embodying oneform of the invention showing the roof in raised position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the roof in lowered position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l of a modified form of the invention;and

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the modified form of the roof in loweredposition.

In the forms shown in Figures 1 and 2, the storage vessel I is providedwith the usual bottom H and side walls I2 which are normally circular inhorizontal cross section. The vessel is provided with a receptacle l3,annular in shape, and immediately below the top of the side walls of thetank. The receptacle has a bottom 14 and an inner wall I5, the top edgeof which [6 is substantially lower than the side wall of the tank. Thereceptacle contains a liquid II which is the same as the liquid withinthe vessel. The receptacle is normally filled by filling the storagevessel to its normal height, the receptacle being filled by overflow. Invessels which are not filled with great frequency, or are not filled atthe top with great frequency, independent means for filling thereceptacle may be provided. Drain I8 is indicated, and this drain may beused for filling the receptacle, if desired, although the by-pass linefrom the main inlet line is preferred.

The vessel is provided with a roof 26 having a depending vertical rim 2|of greater height than the depth of the receptacle It. The rim 2| is theappropriate diameter to fit substantially centrally of the receptacle.The space between the rim and the side wall of the storage vessel is, inthis form of the invention, sealed by a flexible fabric in the form of alooped annulus 25 which is secured by clamping or bolting to the topedge of the side wall and which normally presses against the rim 2! bymeans of its own resiliency. Appropriate pressure means may be supplied,if desired.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4 a difierent formof seal is provided. In this form the fabric ring 3| is attached to theside wall at 30 and to the rim 2| at 32. The fabric is slightly morethan one-half the maximum length of travel of the rim, enough slackbeing provided to maintain a loop 33, as indicated in Figure 3.

A fabric or metal weather skirt 40 is indicated in Figures 3 and 4.

It is obvious, of course, that a stop of suitable form is employed whichprevents undue strain upon the fabric.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A lifter roof tank having side walls, an annular receptacle of smallwidth at the top of the side walls, said receptacle having as its outerface the side wall of the tank and having its inner face lower than saidouter face whereby on filling the tank liquid will enter and fill theannular receptacle, said receptacle being filled with the same liquid asstored within the tank at all times during normal operation of the tank,a roof for the tank having a depending rim adapted to extend into theannular receptacle, and an annulus of flexible sealing material havingone edge secured to the top of the outer face of the receptacle andhaving its other edge secured to an intermediate portion of the rim.

CLIFFORD M. ORR. FRED L. GOLDSBY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,823,256 Clark Sept. 15, 19311,906,685 Wiggins May 2, 1933 2,125,771 De Castro Aug. 2, 1938 2,236,996Ellis Apr. 1, 1941 2,344,436 Laird Mar. 14, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 554,928 Germany July 15, 1932

